RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Resident and early-career family physicians’ focused practice choices in Canada: a qualitative study JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP e334 OP e341 DO 10.3399/BJGP.2021.0512 VO 72 IS 718 A1 Monisha Kabir A1 Ellen Randall A1 Goldis Mitra A1 M Ruth Lavergne A1 Ian Scott A1 David Snadden A1 Lori Jones A1 Laurie J Goldsmith A1 Emily G Marshall A1 Agnes Grudniewicz YR 2022 UL http://bjgp.org/content/72/718/e334.abstract AB Background Focused practice within family medicine may be increasing globally, but there is limited research on the factors contributing to decisions to focus practice.Aim To examine the factors influencing resident and early-career family physician choices of focused practice across three Canadian provinces.Design and setting A subset of qualitative interview data were analysed from a study across British Columbia, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, Canada.Method Included in the analysis were a total of 22 resident family physicians and 38 early-career family physicians in their first 10 years of practice who intend to or currently practise in a focused area. Comparisons were made for participant types, provinces, and the degree of focused practice, while identifying themes related to factors influencing the pursuit of focused practice.Results Three key themes were identified of factors contributing to choices of focused practice: self-preservation within the current structure of the healthcare system; support from colleagues; and training experiences in medical school and/or residency. Minor themes included: alignment of practice with skills, personal values, or ability to derive professional satisfaction; personal lived experiences; and having many attractive opportunities for focused practice.Conclusion Both groups of participants unanimously viewed focused practice as a way to circumvent the burnout or exhaustion they associated with comprehensive practice in the current structure of the healthcare system. This finding, in addition to other influential factors, was consistent across the three provinces. More research is needed to understand the implications of resident and early-career family physician choices of focused practice within the physician workforce.